Aug 22
Ronaldo Returns + Fergie’s Optimism Dips + Squad ‘Swells’
According to reports, a Manchester United player who goes by the name Cristiano Ronaldo has just returned to light training.
I was curious, so I looked up Wikipedia and did my research about this player — because, you know, it’s always good to get your facts right about lesser known players. I found out that he’s got great pace and can get past defenders with ease. He also scored 42 goals last season and played three months carrying an injury. So he must be some player.
So this some player has returned to light training and concentrated on jogging all week.
Oh.
The Sun put up pictures referring to his appearance as ‘grim’ whilst Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, John O’Shea and Louis Saha were all laughing. I mean, what training ground sees only a certain set of players laughing while a few others don’t join in the laughter? It’s a team game, where everyone laughs in unison (and turn glum in unison) at the count of three, no?
Seriously though, my only question after reading that article was, what the hell is Louis Saha doing laughing his arse off in training? What if — as opposed to regular folk — his arse actually falls off, thus ramping up our medical bills further?
Pertinent questions, one would suspect. Think about it.
Meanwhile all the optimism and positive energy that Fergie exuded last week has all but evaporated when he admitted that he was less optimistic about signing a striker.
“I’m feeling less optimistic right now. We are looking at something, but if it doesn’t come off then we will carry on as we are.”
So there you go. Fantastic news. We will have the same team that won us the double last year. Hmm… not a bad squad to have but when you think you are just one signing away from having a side that can continue to be challenging on all fronts then it’s less than comforting to see the way we have done business this summer.
We need an out and out striker who can play maybe from the game following Portsmouth, ideally. If we don’t then I would tend to think it to be a bad summer in terms of transfer business.
In better news, at least some of our players, who had gone out, are returning in one piece. Anderson will be back in the weekend, Tevez will be back after being involved in a friendly with Argentina. Ji-Sung Park is making good progress whilst Hargreaves and Giggs could make it back for training this week.
So in short, it looks like Tevez will surely make it for Pompey. I think I’ll take that. It’s a good thing our game is on Monday although we travel to Monaco for the Super Cup game against Zenit on the 29th. I would love for our lads to win that trophy, and I think it will be more an opportunity for the likes of Anderson and Nani to get their first real competitive first team action. Perhaps, Fergie might throw in the Brazilians if we do manage a couple of early goals.
As an aside, Zenit, who we will be facing in the Super Cup, will be without Arshavin to avoid risking injury so that he could move to Spurs. Could that lead them to selling Berbatov to us?
Hope springs eternal.
Related items from Red Rants:- Deadline Day Looms…
- Easter Island Head’s NYC Visit | Ronaldo Goes Top | Fergie’s Double/Treble Aim
- United’s Road to Recovery Just Around the Corner
- John Terry, AIG and Fergie’s Rant on Hackett
- West Ham v Man Utd: Preview
Tags: Daily Roundup
August 22nd, 2008 at 17:38
There is only one plater worth the amount of money we are willing to pay for Dimitar Berbatov and it is Karim Benzema.
I believe he would suit Rooney’s playing style quite well.
Rooney ofcourse has his own problems. I think he tries almost too hard.
He has struggled to reach the heights (it pains me to say it but) Ronaldo has.
Why are no clubs out there trying to prise Wayne Rooney away from Manchester United? An interesting question?!
August 22nd, 2008 at 17:49
@AlphaRS: he’s english, thats why, also because he’s pretty crap right now. Something i have realized people, is that, fast forward early this season, when rooney came back from injury, i believe rooney played 2 internationals, scoring a goal in each game, then from that point, rooney scored in every single game, including coming of the bench in the FA match against villa, until he got injured again. if rooney can that form that he had at the beginning of the season, he could become what he onve was, the best player in the world. we could of won everything last season if rooney never got that injury, ironically, it was a training ground injury. Hopefully, rooney can find that brief, yet great form again.
August 22nd, 2008 at 17:52
@AlphaRS: That’s not an interesting question, but maybe rhetorical! It’s like saying, why has no one tried to prise Messi from Barcelona or Raul from R Madrid? It’s because these players are like the team mascots and it’s highly unlikely to happen. And if it ever does, it will be for insane amount of money or when such player has little more to offer the team.
With regards to the Benzema issue, I reckon with Tottenham refusing to lower the price, Fergie might be tempted to stick with what we’ve got - Rooney, Tevez, Campbell, Saha, Manucho - for the time being and use that money to capture Benzema nxt season. If he does that, I hope he gets a young, promising but ready-to-play winger as cover and finally replacement for giggsy’s spot in our wing quartet(ronnie, nani, giggs, park).
August 22nd, 2008 at 17:56
@dan(u-ol):
I don’t think anybody has ever been interested in signing Wayne Rooney after he was signed by SAF. English players have gone abroad but they are few and far between. Beckham, Woodgate, McManaman, Gascoigne, Platt, and Ince just off the top of me head.
I’m gonna get alot of stick for this but I think English players lack mental toughness.
Rooney was supposed to be the next big star for England. But he can’t score to save his life. He did have some good form last season but at his age he should be able to come back from any injury.
I just think when I have seen him play up front for club and country it just proves he is not a natural born finisher (more trouble!).
August 22nd, 2008 at 17:59
@Gabriel:
I personally think that nobody actually believe Rooney is that good a player. Yes he tries hard and his heart is in the right place but he just doesn’t do the business for me.
I also just don’t think Berbatov is worth the money or the hassle.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:07
I really hope something in the transfer market happens soon. At this point it seems that Tottenham have won the ‘Berbatov war’
but am keeping fingers crossed.
If Saha is laughing his ass off in trainning then i safely assume that his injuries have taken the back seat(for the moment) and could probably feature in that supercup game. This Sunday I will pray to God to specifically keep that damn knee in check
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:10
@AlphaRS: I am impressed at your footbaling mind. You really know your football.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:12
@AlphaRS: You personally don’t think what?? Pele said he was good, Lippi said he was good, everyone in England knows he’s good. What are you on about? just because a player fails to live up to the unrealistic expectations of the disillusioned english media doesn’t mean he’s shit. Look at his performances for the past four seasons, they’ve risen everytime.
I really feel bad for rooney, what more do they want from this guy? he played less games than Tevez last season, yet got similar goal/assist stats. He plays out of position, sacrificies his chances for Ronaldo and co, yet he is shit!! Please tell me what you want Rooney to acheive this season, so you can finally say he is a good enough player?
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:13
pls is it true that manucho got his work permit???????????????????????
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:14
@R…:
Thanks for the sarcasm!
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:16
Yes Yes Manucho has a work permit.Check Wikipedia. Wohoooooooooo!
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:18
People can say that we had a bad summer with regards to transfers but I hardly consider Rodrigo, Fabio and Rafael bad deals.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:18
@Gabriel:
I didn’t once say Rooney was shit.
I’m not laying in to the guy. Hell my United shirt has his name on it!
You are right he has done all those things for Manchester United.
For me he missed far too many one on one’s with the keeper.
He was added to the squad by SAF to score goals in my opinion and I just odn’t think he scores enough of the chances when he get’s them.
I also think he spends far too much time arguing with the referee and players around him. Even Pele said that!
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:19
@Nelson Otieno: Fergie said saha’s problems are with his hamstrings. That means, he’s got excess muscle on the front of his thighs compared to the back and when he performs, the risks of the muscles at the back getting injured are high. Ironic though, cuz it’s probably those excess muscles that give him that explosive pace, jump and balance.
Fergie also said they’re finally comin to terms with how to improve the situation, so I think it might be okay. Hopefully, he can come back mentally strong because those kind of injuries are mentally destabilising, as you cannot do anything to prevent them cuz that’s just the way ur built. All he has to do is exert those muscles too much and there’s a chance it might get damaged, poor guy. Hopefully, the treatment works and we’ll see the saha we all love to watch!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:25
Hmm Some good news( for me at least)
. Regardless of experience I think Manucho will do well for us. He’s got height and a very lethal strike in that left foot of his(remember the Eygpt game)and from the way I see it he can play as lone striker well. With a master like fergie as his mentor i am very optimistic. If we got rid of that south american curse i.e. flops (veron, kleberson)then………….
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:26
@Gabriel: 30+ goals and a more selfish attitude.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:26
It seems that Manucho and Saha are similar as players so I think one of them should parter Tevez or, preferably, Rooney. I don’t think Rooney and Tevez are that effective together and think that they would play better with a different type of striker.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:26
Berbatov was worth the hassle if we ultimately fail to get Manucho’s permit. And it looks like we are not gonna get any joy on either issue. It looks like joy will be hard to find this season. Why? Well,the curse of the CL winners. Look at the past winners and their form the next season. We certainly stretched ourselves last season and a lot will be required from the likes of Rooney and esp Tevez. Ive no doubts about the latter but hopefully Rooney has now realised that he was not primarily employed as a utility midfielder. I have hope 4 him this season
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:26
Fuck me manucho is not the answer, he is 25 and has never played in any major league and the Greek league is a joke, he is at best a squad player, Fergie has admitted that we have needed a striker for well over a season, so where is he? We needed earlier this summer to have had a plan B or C. Now clubs are aware of our need and will exploit that, we need a new forward and if we don’t get one it’s Chelsea’s title.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:29
@AlphaRS: like you said Fergie got him to score goals, yet Fergie consistently played him out of position many times. How is he supposed to be consistently scoring goals when he is not playing his natural position? Gladly, Fergie has addressed this and promised to play Rooney in the position that will see him increase his productivity; maybe we can reserve further comment till we see him play in his right position for a season, eh?
Tevez played more games than rooney last season,even more in his preferred position, yet got similar stats to rooney; why is no one criticising him for not scoring enough goals?
The media always look to tear good players apart, they’ve done it with all their English stars, please don’t hop on and make Rooney the nxt Michael Owen.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:36
@Gabriel.
that was an educative comment. I love your optimism. I just hope that he stays fit for longer periods this season
ps: how do people put links. html way( a href……)or what
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:36
Alpha- I think Rooney’s problem is that he is selfless and a little too hyper active. He is 2nd to Fabregas ito assists and that shows what he does. I think he is an excellent playmaking forward. Think Totti. Its just that he should concentrate on the forward play more. I think he should try to be more selfish and he will score more. And thats his only weakness. Not failing to score but not applying himself where he would be more dangerous. Give him this season. I have hope because saf has almost promised 2 play him in the hole and rooney has said he realises the need to concentrate on attack.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:37
@Gabriel: Fergie has not addressed any problem with playing rooney out of position at all. Fergie maintains that rooney can play either play up top or dropping off another forward. This is the same stance he had at the start of last season and there’s more chance rooney will play in the same position he did last year.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:37
@Gabriel:
I understand what you are saying but he just doesn’t score enough when he is one on one with the keeper. I would be interested in seeing his shots per goal ratio. That would remove the factor of him playing out of position. I don’t think it will be as high as it should be.
There is nothing more I would want than Wayne Rooney being played up front in his natural position but when he has I don’t think he scores enough.
I am not criticising Rooney I am just passing my opinion.
I haven’t criticized Tevez because I didn’t ever think that he was put in to the squad to be an out and out striker. More of a support striker.
The media want Manchester United and their players to capitulate. They are pro london teams. I mean look at the Champions League final. I think skysports were more concerned with Terry crying than Manchester United winning the Champions League final. That is media terrorism to me!
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:39
@tevez: lol 30+ goals!! How many other ’supporting strikers’ in the world have reached that target?
With regards to the selfish thing, I concur, but as Fergie said, being unselfish is not a bad trait to have (Ronaldo isn’t complaining with rooney supplying the assists) and rooney knows it and is ready to change, so that’s good enuff for me.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:41
@Jay wire:
Agreed.
He is the complete player but needs to concentrate on scoring goals when he gets the chances.
That is the only point I am trying to make. I just want Rooney to fulfill his potential and be one of the best players in the world beacuse by God we need him to score goals for us this season to give us a chance of keeping the Double at OT.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:42
Nelson-By all means could u pliz post the Manucho link. I have been waiting for this guy since December and i have repeatedly advocated for him. That is news that i have been waiting for all summer
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:45
Alpha- I totally understood u the first time and u voice a genuine concern ito goal getting.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:46
@Gabriel:
Have a look at Rooney’s Champions League debut when he scored that hatrick against Fenerbache. It’s on YouTube under Wayne Rooney Debut.
That is the Wayne Rooney I want to see again.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:48
Manucho is in the squad traveling to Fratton Park!!!!!!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:50
@tevez: Fergie has addressed it, and he said he would play him in the hole more often:
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/the-tide-turns-time-to-praise-rooney-following-fergies-sacrificing/
there’s more links but i can’t paste more than one as the post won’t show up if i did.
Hopefully, Fergie will be true to his word, and all this unwarranted criticsm of argueably United’s most influential player will cease.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:51
@ jaywire
I dont know how to do the link thing on this site. someone educate me .
let me do it the long way. Go to wikipedia and type ‘manucho’ and in the article check at the bottom just before the Panathinaikos headline
its there.
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:55
@AlphaRS: yeah, me too. Hopefully, with Pele, Capello and Fergie telling him to be more selfish and develop a tunnel-vision for the goal, he might heed and get to scoring plenty more goals. Although, if he reached the 30+ amount @tevez: was proposing, i’d be ecstatic!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 18:57
According to this website Manucho and Anderson are both in the squad for Monday’s match @ Fratton Park!
http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/portsmouth-v-manchester-united-premiersh-5513276.html
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:07
Wikipedia says that it has been confirmed by Utd and his squad number is 26 but there’s nothing on the website!
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:10
@Krishnan: Did you check out the website I posted about Manucho being on the squad list? I wonder if this was Fergies big surprise after all?
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:12
What the hell does this mean!!!!!!!!!!!!?
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4031590,00.html
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:13
@RichmondRed: I did but if he has been handed over a squad number, shouldn’t it be on the website?
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:15
@Krishnan: That is true. I don’t know what to make of it mate. United has been hush, hush about everything this summer so I would not be surprised to see him get off the bus against Harry’s team.
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:19
@ Krishnan
Its there. just before the panathinaikos headline. That being said they havent put a citation yet
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:21
Uh oh. I’m hearing reports that Saha’s arse actually did fell off.
I’m glad Manucho got his work permit. Maybe he’ll get some burn in the Super Cup. I hope Possebon/DSx2 get burn too.
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:23
@Gabriel: At no point does fergie indicate he will play rooney in the hole more often.
‘I think his best position is through the middle, either a front role or tucking in just behind.’
He doesn’t feel he made a mistake in terms of where to play rooney. When fergie talks about moving him around too much, he means in terms of accomodating him in a wide position for tactics, injuries, etc. at certain times in the season and how it was unfortunate this happened at a time where rooney may have went on a scoring run. When he felt he could, fergie played rooney up top last season in a striker role and he has in no way came out and said it was a mistake to do that or that he will do differently this year. With tevez in the team and berbatov maybe coming in, i expect rooney to once again be employed in the main striker role.
I also do feel he can score 30+ goals in a season but only if he stays fit and plays in a main striker role. If this happens, i can see him being a prolific scorer.
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:36
@Nelson Otieno: Type a word/phrase, say, “Click here”, for example. Click on the “>>” tab just above the comment box. Highlight “Click here” with your mouse and click on the Link button. A pop up will tell you to enter the url.
Enter it and you are done. Here’s an example of a link: Red Rants.
It’s really that simple. If you want bold or italics, then you highlight words and click on Strong or em
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:38
@tevez: That’s what I’m saying mate, Fergie indicates that rooney will play less games in a wide position, rather he will play more thru the middle, either as a front man or tucked behind the main striker. We know Rooney can play both, but which one is he better at? I think you and everyone including Sir Alex knows the answer!!
Also, I never said Fergie indicated he made a mistake, I said he ‘addressed’ the issue of playing rooney out of position.
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:51
This was as of August 19th:
Manchester United’s Manucho, who has not been registered by the English champions for this season because he needs a British work permit, has been replaced in the squad by Portuguese-based forward Mateus, the Angolan Football Federation announced. [Source: Reuters]
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:58
@Red Ranter: So does that mean even if Manucho gets work permit, he won’t be abe to play in the first team?
August 22nd, 2008 at 19:59
here’s the link to manucho. indicates he got it today
August 22nd, 2008 at 20:00
@Stephen: well done, because a player is unknown they are automatically crap, of course, what was a manager that has won 2 CLs, 10 premier leagues and 5 FA cups doing, he’s an idiot isnt he, hasnt got a clue what he’s doing.
August 22nd, 2008 at 20:03
If his work permit is not approved, he can sign for us only in the January window. He might have to be loaned out to some other club.
August 22nd, 2008 at 20:04
@Nelson Otieno: It’s on wikipedia without a citation. So it’s not reliable. If you see it right now the line has been modified to this:
Manucho was handed the number 26 shirt for the 2008–09 season. However, it is not yet known whether his work permit application has been successful, or if he was registered with the squad number pre-emptively.
August 22nd, 2008 at 20:05
@Red Ranter: it has been approved though, even though its not on ANY website surprisingly, if you flick your TV channel to sky sports news, they say that it has been granted.
August 22nd, 2008 at 20:22
@Redranter
Yup the lines been chucked and replaced with what you have indicated.
Damn it….. The way I was happy, this is one frustrating August
August 22nd, 2008 at 20:33
@Gabriel: Rooney never played out wide much at all last season, he basically just covered that position a few times when required. Last season he played right up front, which is the position fergie seems to see his future in. Fergie said the same at the start of last season. He has never been under any illusions that rooney is not a wide man and yet he played rooney there at times last year anyway due to circumstance. Rooney will play in a wide role for us at times this season too when a situation requires it. When everyone is fit and available rooney plays as a striker, but if fergie needs to play rooney out wide to accomodate an absence, he will. My point is that this hasn’t and won’t change.
August 22nd, 2008 at 20:41
@dan(u-ol): I don’t live in the UK so I don’t get Sky. Plus I am at work
August 22nd, 2008 at 20:59
That article on manucho is really acting up funny and i got a pretty good idea on who’s been giving me(or us) false hope http://community.manutd.com/forums/p/19763/163252.aspx just look at the first person
August 22nd, 2008 at 21:30
@Nelson Otieno: mate, its on sky sports news, not the website, the tv channel, probably the most reliable sports channel/website around, along with the bbc sport homepage.
@Red Ranter: aahh yes, the dreaded time difference, what time is it anyway, over the pond? 9:30 pm over here.
August 22nd, 2008 at 21:34
and to all those, who dont believe me, OWNED!
August 22nd, 2008 at 22:02
@ dan(u-ol): Okay. let me get some sleep (its 12 AM on my side )
August 22nd, 2008 at 23:06
RR says - “I would tend to think it a bad summer in terms of transfer business!.” Funny comment, as I would tend to think it a bad summer in terms of NO TRANSFER BUSINESS. “I would in fact tend to think it has been a further example of a summer of shite!.” Yet RR, you do see the glass half full, where I see it half empty lol. Gill and Fergie seem to have royally stuffed up where United transfer striker intake is concerned.
August 22nd, 2008 at 23:19
we’re sitting here trying to get excited about manucho ’swelling’ our squad for monday whilst chelsea are close to buying robinho, have secured a deal for palm and look a little more dangerous than us atm.
alex confuses me. sometimes he splurges and sometimes he’d hold out over £2m (petty change in transfer terms). oh well…I guess he knows best. it’s just a bit frustrating with the deadline fast approaching.
August 22nd, 2008 at 23:30
@Craig Mc: Craig you are wrong. If you are being that specific then there has been transfer business. We did sell Silvestre and we did buy Davide Petrucci. That constitutes as transfer business. You either buy or sell for there to be “transfer business” per se. So since you are being pedantic about it, there has been transfer business. But whatever business has happened so far, it’s been bad. Which is what I said.
August 22nd, 2008 at 23:34
@Craig Mc: And calling it a bad summer is not seeing the glass half full. More seeing the glass for what it is.
August 22nd, 2008 at 23:51
Mmmmm - Petrucci - hardly the kind of transfer I was thinking about, that would make our summer less shite. Silvestre out - ??????? wtf RR?.
Perhaps you would like to add Jack Barmby the 14 year old to the transfer business too. Where is your head at RR?. Or perhaps it is my head, I just got home from a good liquor session with some of my Rugby supporting friends, so my head is a bit lager brain dead at the moment!.
August 22nd, 2008 at 23:55
@Red Ranter: I don’t think we’ve done bad business, we’ve only had bad press/media coverage. We’ve secured young promising players who will shine for us in the future and got rid of old, past-it ones who will block their progress; i don’t see how that’s bad business.
It’s just the press that has been coming up with all these stories that probably have no validity whatsoever. I mean, they’ve linked us to Henry, Huntelaar, Eto’o, Silva, Villa, Santa Cruz…. the list goes on. Fergie said he might probably bring in a new striker, and to be fair to him, the window is not shut yet and he might be wanting to bring in the right player; and it might or might not be Berbatov!!
Like he said, if it’s not possible to acquire the right target now, there’s the next window. I’d rather us get the right player for United *cough* Benzema *cough* later, than panic buy now and have to lose out on him later.
Honestly, the media can create so much hysteria, it’s unbelievable. They’d have you thinking it’s all doom and gloom when things are probably OK. I personally thought we needed a striker and a young winger, but if Fergie and the players says we do not, seeing they have a more in-depth view of the club as a whole, I’d like to think they are right.
August 23rd, 2008 at 0:09
Gabriel, they are NOT right?.
August 23rd, 2008 at 0:19
@Craig Mc: why do you say so?
August 23rd, 2008 at 0:21
Players available to us this season that were not the last. Raphael. Fabio. Manucho. Possebon. Petrucci. Neville. Foster.
Players out. Silvestre. Pique.
Yeah most of those players are unproven, but if they prove themselves here we have had one hell of a summer of activity. What if Raphael and Fabio flourish, and all signs to point that they will. Possebon has a season learning from Scholes, and becomes his eventual replacement. Manucho scares the shit out of defences. Foster challenges for the number 1 spot that will eventually be his.
If this happens, I’m more than willing to have a less successful season than last to ensure our long term superiority. It sure as hell beats the 5 transitional season over at le arse.
August 23rd, 2008 at 0:28
@Craig Mc: I wouldn’t say they’re right per se…afterall we could do with a striker, but its not all doom and gloom like the way the press are making it seem if we don’t sign one, mind you I’d love it if we do.
The Manucho news was on the sky sports evening news, so yeah i saw it too…
@Craig Mc: I don’t think you got what RR meant, transfers are not only about bringing in players, loaning or selling players too constitute a transfer and so your comments that there have been NO transfer business is wrong since we sold three players and loaned out two, so it might not be the transfers we’d all love to see, but yes there have been transfers, whether we buy an 8year old wonderkid or sell some light-bulb head, and i think that was RR was trying to say.
August 23rd, 2008 at 0:30
@Traverse: good point traverse, people bang on about letting the youth get a chance, but if we sign 27-yr old Berba, how are we supporting that cause?
On the other hand, we do need some experienced (not necessarily old) players striking for us, so letting campbell bear that responsibility is risky. It’s a catch-22 and that’s because the stakes are so high now; a team with title hopes can’t afford to drop random points anymore (like we did on Sunday).
As per our youth, it’s looking very bright, and i reckon they are being weened into the team perfectly.
August 23rd, 2008 at 0:43
@Red Ranter: No, you’re wrong. This isn’t the Liga where players can only be registered at certain times. Players can be registered whenever the team wants them to do so, meaning that if Manucho gets a work permit in November then he can play in November.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:29
@Craig Mc: Clearly it’s the liquor session and the lager mate. Get sober and read it again.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:58
I am getting the feeling that this is a make or break season for Rooney. I have said this before but I will say it again. It is one thing to have World Class potential, but its another thing to become truly World Class. No one can question the abilities of Rooney, he is a breathtaking talent. But for what ever reason he is having trouble turning that corner from potential to reality.
Often people compare Roonie to Ronaldo, but to me this is no comparison. I think Rooney has comparable talent, but what sets Ronaldo apart from Rooney is his dedication and drive toward the game. Ronaldo is always training and working on his game, Rooney returns from holiday 10 lbs overweight and smoking cigarettes. There is gonna come a point in Rooney’s career where his talent wont be enough to merit his place in the squad, I just hope he has the fore sight to avoid that situation and really take hold of his development.
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:51
Ok why in the world is the Manucho news not all over the place. Jeez,the media fed us lies about Berbatov to united in 48hrs. Cant they at least report this issue. Those guys are a waste of cyber and other spaces.
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:53
Oh and btw. Viva Manucho the new Drogba(talent wise). Im so excited
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:20
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=830491
i think united will be devastated if robinho completes his move to fucking chelski. it is official, real have agreed to let robinho go.
come on fergie sign berba or huntelaar. god damn it.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:34
Manucho definatelly has a work permit. Sir Alex said so in his press conference yesterday. It was shown on MUTV last night. He said that his metatarsel has not healed yet so he won’t be considered for the monday squad.
He also said that Anderson will travel to Portsmouth as he will be back on sunday. He also said that Hargreaves will have a fitness test on sunday as he has been training all week. Park has also been training but he will not be considered this weekend but he might be available for Zenit. Giggs is also fit for monday. I also noticed that Welbeck was named in the monday squad when it was listed on MUTV last night.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:45
Also they showed Ronaldo training on MUTV last night. Apparently he has been doing light training all week.
Incidentally, for all those interested, the whole first team squad (injuries permitting) will be training at Old Trafford from 10am BST this morning. Its going to be shown live on MUTV. You can also get tickets and go to the stadium
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:03
@John Freakin O’shea: Look at it this way. When Robinho arrives, there will be too many players in their squad for too few psoitions. Cue falling out, and general disharmony, causing a fall in match performance and results, which will prove what we have known for a long time……
Chelski are shite
August 23rd, 2008 at 10:03
Morning y’all!! Anyone know if it’s possible to watch the open training session on MUTV Online - it’s on MUTV, but I’m not sure if it is on MUTV online.
August 23rd, 2008 at 11:18
Perhaps Manucho getting a permit was not meant to be big news after all. Wikipedia made a hilarious mess of it. Sky news reported it via text headlines and didnt bother with a follow up on their site. Now supposedly fergie said it on Mutv but no follow up on their site. There are just meaningless Rooney articles. Im just seeing inconsistencies here. I however believe fans should be given the courtesy of updates when something anticipated has happened. If its not true,then come out and disapprove the rumours. What a pre-season and beginning of season this has been
August 23rd, 2008 at 11:31
Oh man. Robinho. Why? The premiership? Chelsea? Im lost 4 words. One player i have always had high hopes for comes to a less appreciating league where work ethic is the sole attribute one has to have on their cv. U should have stayed in Spain. Im sorry and may clearly regret it but i wish him the best. Football should not be robbed of its talents because they have moved to the wrong league and club. 1st madrid now chelsea. He is trying hard to lose me as a fan of Manutd and Barca. Might as well join AC afterwards
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:34
Jay wire, its not a case of “supposedly” where Manucho is concerned. I saw Sir Alex with my own eyes say that Manucho now has a work permit. It was at the friday press conference
August 23rd, 2008 at 13:02
Fergie did say on MUTV to gathered reporters that United now have the work permit for Man - U - Cho. I can’t wait to see him in action!.
Hahaha Red Ranter, I am all sobered up. Those rugby lads can’t have put the booze away lol.
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:15
BBC reports that Berbatov is not in the Tottenham squad for the Sunderland game:
“I have not selected him as I do not think that he is focused enough and I do not feel that he will be good for the dressing room and the team effort,” said Ramos
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:19
i think we all know what this means!
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:19
That sucks for my fantasy football… but it might be good news for us. If Ramos cannot play him because he is spiritually elsewhere*, than, he might as well agree to sell.
* by ’spiritually elsewhere’ I mean two things:
- he is dreaming of the Bentley he will drive once he gets his 90,000 per week salary
- he can’t give a flying fish about Tottenham anymore.
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:28
@dan(u-ol): still, until he’s wearing the united no. 9 I’m disregarding all other news as bullshit
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:30
He will never wear the United no 9 because that belongs to Saha and I’ll intentionally set my own pants on fire before Fergie takes a number from one player and gives it to another. He will wear the 14 made famous by Cruijff. Or maybe Ole’s 20?
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:32
@Andrei: Strange, I don’t see this on BBC Sport online nor do I see it anywhere else. Ideally this kind of news ought to be all over the place.
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:32
@Andrei: 20 is given to Fabio
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:33
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7578290.stm
look at 1408.
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:34
Oh wait it’s on Sky. Link
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:37
I saw on BBC Live-Commentary… probably good news, but I am not jumping up and down on my couch just yet.
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:39
Does anybody else think that “work with him at training” means that he will get a boot kicked at his head?
August 23rd, 2008 at 14:42
Also, I have some advice for Fergie: Get. Baxter. Now!
I saw the lad in last week’s game between Everton and Blackburn and he was a breath of fresh air when he came on. He might be 16, but he does play like a 20 year old. Is anybody going to watch Everton today?
August 23rd, 2008 at 15:18
Well the Berbatov news does not necessarily mean Tottenham are going to sell. Their plan maybe to keep Berbatov on the sidelines until the transfer deadline passes in the hope that once the dream move is no longer a possibility the player will focus on Tottenham again.
But I agree it does look very positive for us. Really Ronaldo should be judged less harshly because he never went to the lengths Robinho and Berbatov went to in order to force a move.
Im very pleased Manucho got the permit. I do not know how much skill or intelligence he has but from what Ive seen he has the athleticism and pace, is good in the air, and can finish. I hope he gets a few league cup games to show what he can do.
August 23rd, 2008 at 15:24
@colver: i agree. he fussed about a bit but never went so far as to undermine the club
on an unrelated note, I just got my one united membership and am feeling very club-affiliated at this point. the marketing/propaganda is working
August 23rd, 2008 at 16:09
Feels good to be back, i missed this site, loving the new layout RedRanter
I found it interesting berbatov was dropped from the spurs squad, maybe they will sell him after all, because the whole he is not “focused” excuse seems to be quite pathetic, i hope he is in the squad soon enough
August 23rd, 2008 at 16:19
I called this yesterday… Berbatov definitely told them he still wants to leave, and this is his punishment. If we make that £28 million bid they will be more than happy to boot his ass out. With Arshavin being left out of the Zenit squad, spurs then have the money to get their man with £7mil spare to put towards Pavulchenko….
Makes sense for all parties concerned…